Question for wondercoin and perhaps others

Mark

Mitch (wondercoin):

My read is that you are probably one of the biggest suppliers of ultra-high grade "modern" coins, so you probably have some idea about the collectors that collect these coins. I also understand that you have a somewhat eclectic collection yourself, so you also have some idea about the collectors that collect "classic" coins. Do you see any difference between these two types of collectors? Do most of the collectors of the ultra-high grade moderns stick to these coins or do most also collect (high grade?) classic coins?

Mark

PQpeace

Here we go again,
Larry

Mark

Larry:

If this sort of question has been asked before, I'm sorry I missed it. And, I surely do NOT want to start any sort of flaming between collectors. What I was vaguely interested in how these groups of collectors compare, say in age or in time spent collecting or in the reason they started collecting, etc. For instance, my guess is that collectors of "modern" coins, on the average, might be younger than collectors of "classic" coins, but that's just a guess. And, there likely would be exceptions, eg, older collectors who opt for "modern" coins.

But again, I hasten to add that I do NOT want someone to say that one group rules and the other drools, or anything similar. In my view, anyone can collect anything he or she finds interesting!

Mark

Higashiyama

From prior threads, if I am to believe everything read on this board, I believe the answer is something like:

Most classic collectors are in their 50s or 60s, speak several languages (often latin or greek), teach at a major university, are interested in classical music as well as coins, and are often proficient at piano or violin.

Modern collectors are usually under 26, dropped out of college after gaining a windfall day trading, and divide their time between collecting and sipping lattes.

pontiacinf

well to help most understand...all is not the same...as you well know


for whatever purpose serves this from me to u, here it goes:

I maintain several statehood reg sets (only 1 reg so others can be sold when Im ready).

but moderns isnt all I collect. I collect and love slabbed: franklins, ikes, sacs, gold anything, slabbed anything from 1900 and before. I have no structured buying,,whatver suites me that moment gets bought. Only reg set Ill ever do is the statehood proofs, I will never branch out, but could knock alot here off there fannies should i elect to do a modern type set

to summerize, I LOVE ALL COINS, WILL BUY WHATEVER I CAN AFFORD, BUT WILL ONLY EVER HAVE BUT ONE REGISTRY SET

ALL HAIL ABRUZZO & FLORENZANO ENTERPRISE SET

supercoin

Hey Higashiyama, I'm a modern collector, and your generalization is biased and unfair.

After tiring of sipping lattes, I went back to school and got my diploma in coin dealing just last year:

My Diploma


(With appropriate credit to my Alma Mater.)

gary

Tooney/Favor UH !!!!!!!!!!!!

wondercoin

Mark: Speaking seriously for a moment, I have seen a great deal of crossover between collectors of the two groups of coins. By crossover, I mean, classic guys building some modern sets or modern guys building some classic sets.

Serously, the first question is really though what constitues "classic collecting" anyway. Let me save everyone the trouble of writing in disputing my view My view is "modern" coins begin around 1932 with the Wash quarter set, but exclude those few years of Buffalos, Mercuries, Walkers, Peace Dollars that overlap. When I adopted this view it was nearly a dozen years ago, so I do not dispute than an easier definition is to use 1965, except that 1959-64 Memorials also count as moderns. While it hard to imagine those silver Roosies as "classics", it is flattering to them and I like that equally as well.

But, at the heart of your question Mike, do you consider 1965 the beginning of "modern" coins, or 1932, or some other date? It is really hard to generalize in the firstplace an answer to your question. It becomes nearly impossible when no one really knows what a "modern" coin really is. But, if "modern" coins start around 1932 or so, there are many "classic" collectors than seriously pursue "moderns". If the starting point for moderns is 1965, there are less of course.

I spent the entire day today reviewing the Benson collection and the Superior upcoming sale. With respect to the Benson sale, I looked at every Wash quarter in the sale, as well as the Ike dollars, wild toned SAE and most Barber coins and many seated coins. I looked at almost every silver Commem as well. Many of the silver Commems were dated 1934 - 1939 and I conceed my definition would make these "modern" coins which makes little sense. But, Wash quarters from the 1940s and 1950s sure seem like "modern" coins to me; after all, this is basically what I personally buy and sell involving the most dollars. At the end of the day (8 hours of time invested looking at coins), on my personal shopping list is one pattern coin, one or two barber coins, one or two seated coins, two or three silver commems, a Jefferson nickel and a handful of Wash quarters. Geez, based upon what I've been buying lately, I am not even a modern buyer or seller Wondercoin.

DHeath

All I know is that in 1964 I was 9 yrs old and my grandfather gave me a 1892-CC morgan in good condition, a 1892 Columbian Expo half in AU, and a few GEM BU 1964 Kennedy halfs (the most valuable coins in my collection). At the time my father owned a coin operated laundry and I remember helping roll bags of silver coins (even the occaisional rarity). That year for Christmas my folks gave me a Sears Lincoln Wheat collection that featured 30 wheats, a magnifying glass, and a new Whitman folder. At the time the most expensive lincoln "modern rarity" was the 1955 double die. Redbook listed the value in Gem BU as $400. I only wish I had been able to collect a roll of those Moderns. It seems to me the nature of the hobbyist is to love all beautiful coins, but to collect what they can afford. I think none are as beautiful as the Standing Liberty Quarter, or perhaps the St.Gaudens coins. I also love the mahagony lg.cents. I can't afford many of those coins, and I expect I am not alone. I only hope that the Moderns I collect now will have the same impact on my future Grandson as those few coins of little value (priceless to me) have had to me.

Higashiyama

Wondercoin --

I don't think it is too much of a stretch to consider "classic" commemoratives to be among modern coins. I agree with your point that it is hard to come up with a firm definition, but I might call commemoratives somewhat transitional. In some sense the modern era might be thought of as beginning when collector coins were produced in large quantities for a fairly large part of the public. Although the mint has been producing coins for presentation and for collectors almost from the beginning, the mass production of collector issues is essentially a 20th century phenomenon.

I think I can firmly say that anything 18th century is classic, and anything post 1964 is modern. In between, there is a fair amount of room for debate.

Supercoin -- as you know, I am teetering on the threshold, having a complete set of at least one modern series! In any case, I always knew your credentials were impeccable!